Siphai Thammavong has committed himself to safeguarding the age-old art of storytelling within Laos, and there’s an increasing feeling of importance driving his endeavor.
In the thought-provoking documentary, “The Guardian of Stories,” by Claudia Bellasi and Markus Steiner Ender, we learn that the custodians of Laos’ ancient folklore are dwindling, and Thammavong fears these timeless tales may vanish into oblivion as people become engrossed in their smartphones rather than Laos’ captivating oral traditions.
The filmmakers, being Italian, embark on a journey with Thammavong through the heart of the country to encounter these guardians of history. The viewers are given an opportunity to listen and watch as some of these stories unfold through the enchanting puppetry of Laos’ Khao Niew Lao Theater, based in Vientiane.
One such story is “The Frog Eats the Moon,” which attempts to explain the cause of a lunar eclipse. This tale features a frog, a snake, a squirrel, a healer, and his magical herbs.
This delightful and educational film blends the peculiarities and humor of puppets with the compelling narrative arc of an important endeavor, while allowing its audience to ponder over what Laos, and indeed the world, may be losing in this digital age. The breathtaking landscapes of Southeast Asia provide a beautiful backdrop for this poignant tale.
The story behind the making of this documentary, which is a contender for the Golden Goblet at this week’s Shanghai International Film Festival, adds another layer of depth to it.
Bellasi and Steiner Ender are the ones responsible for organizing the annual Asfaltart Street Art Festival in Merano, Italy. Three years ago, they embarked on a five-month journey to Southeast Asia to find new talent, where they met the puppeteers of the Khao Niew Lao Theater and learned about Thammavong, a man from Luang Prabang who shares local stories with tourists.
Intrigued by his work, they decided to make a film without waiting for funding. Siphai (Thammavong) expressed urgency as he had only a limited time to save the stories, so they agreed to help.
Lu Pulici, the Brazilian producer with experience in puppetry and filmmaking, joined the project due to its unique concept.
Thammavong serves as the central storyteller of the film, showing great enthusiasm for his work as he listens intently to the tales being shared.
The filmmakers aimed to make the production a collaborative effort between European filmmaking expertise and local crew members in Laos, a country with an emerging film industry.
Steiner Ender explains that they didn’t want to simply film; instead, everyone involved needed to work together to tell this story and the stories of the people in Laos.
The filmmakers hope to reach audiences at other international festivals and secure distribution partners from Shanghai. The demand seems high, as the three Shanghai screenings sold out within hours.
The Golden Goblet award winners for SIFF will be announced on June 21.
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2025-06-19 22:54